Terrorist leader, Bello Turji, has outlined conditions for peace in Zamfara State, demanding that security forces and vigilante groups halt their attacks on Fulani communities.
Turji, in a recently released video, accused the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, of politicising the insecurity in the state, insisting that their actions are worsening the crisis.
Turji, who is believed to have fled Zamfara after military forces intensified their operations against terrorist gangs, stated that the ongoing conflict in the state would persist unless the targeting of Fulani people ceases. “Peace will only return to Zamfara if the security agents and vigilante groups stop attacking and killing the Fulanis,” he declared.
READ ALSO: Why terrorist leader Turji is releasing videos – Dr Bukarti
In the video, Turji, seated on a new motorcycle with a gun beside him, condemned the blame game between Governor Lawal and Matawalle, who now serves as the Minister of State for Defence. He alleged that both leaders were using the insecurity for political gain, without concern for the people of Zamfara.
“Governor Dauda Lawal and Bello Matawalle labelling each other as terrorists (sponsors) will not help. I want the people of Zamfara to understand that they are just politicians without the interest of the people of Zamfara in their hearts,” Turji said.
He went on to challenge the idea that any political figure was supporting his group, saying, “When Matawalle was the governor who was sponsoring us? Similarly, when Abdulaziz Yari was the governor who was sponsoring us? Nobody is sponsoring us except God.”
Bello Turji also referenced the tenure of former governor Ahmed Yerima, accusing his administration of legalising the killing of Fulani people and selling off grazing reserves. He mentioned that successive administrations, including those of Mahmud Shinkafi and Abdulaziz Yari, failed to resolve the crisis, and despite Yari’s efforts to empower vigilante groups, the situation remains dire.
“It was during the administration of Yerima that the government sold out the grazing reserve and legalised the killing of the Fulanis. When Mahmud Shinkafi came on board, he tried unsuccessfully to address the problem. Abdulaziz Yari came and empowered the vigilante, but we are still struggling,” Turji explained.
He concluded by urging for collaboration to end the violence, asserting that military action and airstrikes would not stop him or his group. “This is why we are calling on all of you to come and collaborate with us for peace to reign and stop the bloodbath in Zamfara. Gun and airstrike will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” he said.
Efforts to reach the spokespersons for Governor Dauda and Minister Matawalle to respond to the allegations were unsuccessful, as their phone numbers did not connect on Tuesday morning.
Bello Turji also confirmed the death of his mentor, Halilu Sububu, whom he described as his “master.” Despite Sububu’s death, Turji vowed that their group would continue its operations. “Kachallah Halilu Sububu is not the first person to be killed; several others were killed. The killing of Halilu Sububu will not deter us from doing what we are doing unless you stop killing our brothers in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger states,” he declared.
Turji accused the authorities of planning to “exterminate the Fulani race,” but he expressed faith that God would continue to protect them. “Your only plan is to exterminate the Fulani race while God has been protecting us. Even if you kill us, it’s God who ordained that to happen, but it’s not by your power,” he stated.
